THE LEARNING CLUSTER JUDGE Q&A
Was I pleased with the ring set-up (separate entrances and exits)? It was difficult for stewards to move from entrance to exit in some rings because of the distance in large rings. How would I rate my experience overall? Excellent! 10 out of 10. Would I say that the shows set a good example for other clubs to follow? Yes. My clubs have a four-day cluster in Elk City, Okla- homa, the last weekend in August, and a three-day event in Enid, Oklahoma, the second weekend in October. We will be using many of the practices used at this event, although the facilities vary, espe- cially the Elk City facility. Is there anything that could have been done differently? With the excellence of the facility, I saw nothing major that should have changed. Am I planning to judge other shows that are held this year? Yes, any that I am contracted to judge that do not cancel. I’m judging a couple of Groups and some Breeds in Elk City. Do I have a message that I’d like to share with the dog show community? I believe the four-day cluster went really well. Some new things to learn, like wearing masks at all times, keeping exhibi- tors six feet apart in my ring, letting winners pick up their own rib- bons, and my ring steward much more than six feet away because of the entrance at the far end of the ring and exit near the judge, are all to name the most important differences to me as a judge. Judges stopped by the photographer in the morning to have their photos taken with appropriate ribbons, so very few photos were taken with both the judge and the dog and handler together, although with the photographer’s ability to join the two photos the result will appear as if we had taken the photo in the normal way. I saw no exhibitors, owners, assistants or handlers without masks the whole four days I was there. This was even the third day when handlers were given permission to remove masks when run- ning around the ring. It seemed to me that everyone who attended this event was so happy and grateful to be back at a show—as well as to be able to visit with their friends after the long time without shows. It made the event feel like a family reunion. It also seemed everyone was very careful to comply with all the rules as they did not in any way want to jeopardize any future events. I think this event was a well run event and seemed like the usual four-day cluster from before the cancelling started, with only the exceptions I mentioned above. GARRY NEWTON When did I decide to judge
How “clean” did I find the facility overall? Everything was han- dled well by the committee and building staff. Was everyone wearing a mask and did the dogs react to them? As I stated earlier, yes. I judged about 175 per day and only had one or two dogs react to the mask I was wearing. Was I pleased with the ring set-up (separate entrances and exits)? I liked the two entrance/exit. It made the ring more efficient. How would I rate my experience overall? I thought the whole four days went well and everyone, including myself, was happy to be back at a dog show. Would I say that the shows set a good example for other clubs to follow? Yes. Is there anything that could have been done differently? The committee tried several procedures: One being the two entrance/ exit; [another was] marked boxes in the ring where exhibitors/dogs were to stand (social distancing). The exhibitors had the responsibility to pick up their own arm- bands. The first two days the exhibitor picked them up at the ring, and the last two days at the super’s table. I liked the first method as it took maybe three to five minutes at the beginning of the hour for the steward to place the armbands on the table next to the entrance, and then she/he was finished dealing with the armbands. The steward could then call the classes and handle the ribbons. The steward placed the ribbons for the class on a table next to the exit. The judge did not handle the ribbons or give anything to the exhibitor. The exhibitor picked the ribbons up as she/he left the ring. I think these procedures helped the flow of the judging, stewarding and flow of the ring. These procedures should be considered by other clubs. Am I planning to judge other shows that are held this year? Of course. Do I have a message that I’d like to share with the dog show community? I know it is difficult when cities and/or states place rules on events regarding people attending in a government facil- ity, but the Learning Cluster did establish that dog shows can go on inside or out with sensible procedures. Also, they had a private facility that was willing to work with them. Great job by all the committee members for making this work. Thank you. CAROLYNHERBEL When did I decide to judge the shows in Oklahoma? The day I was asked. How many days was I judging? I judged for four days. How far did I travel to get there? I traveled 310 miles. How well organized was the show in regards to COVID-19? Very, very well. Were the rules noticeably enforced? Yes. Did exhibitors practice social distancing? Yes. What was it like to judge without spectators? Not as much dif- ferent than I’d expected. How “clean” did I find the facility overall? Very clean, especially with the packed dirt floor. Was everyone wearing a mask and did the dogs react to them? Yes, even when, on the third day, the exhibitors were allowed to pull their masks down. I personally saw no one do so. Only two dogs reacted, but at least one of those I suspect would have reacted to me had I not had a mask on.
the shows in Oklahoma? Imme- diately upon them asking me to judge. How many days was I judg- ing? All four days of the shows. How far did I travel to get there? From Houston, Texas, which was approximately seven plus hour drive. We drove, so my wife (who is also a show chair) could observe and assist those
putting on the shows. How well organized was the show in regards to COVID-19? The shows were well thought-out with many elements that showed insight and innovation with the problem at hand. Entrance and exit for rings. Marked areas in the ring to assist with social distance. They tried multiple ways of picking up armbands and ribbon dis- tribution to assist in social distancing. They worked with making sure crates were identifiable so that the people could show their dogs with ease, but also crates removed in a timely manner so that the next “set” showing had the same ability to do so. Photos were done >
142 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JULY 2020
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